FELTHAM shopkeepers are still asking the council to put a stop to the use of a CCTV camera at a nearby loading bay, which has slashed their business in half.

Anyone who parks in the bay, situated outside the row of shops on Station Parade, Hounslow Road, is given a £50 penalty if they are there between 10am and 4pm.

Due to the nature of the businesses on the parade, which include picture framing and second hand furniture services, customers need to park in close proximity to the shops. But when they do this, they are fined even if they leave their car for a matter of seconds.

As reported in the Chronicle in December last year, the shopkeepers claimed to have lost 40 per cent of customers since the painting of double-yellow lines on the loading bay. Now, ten months on, they estimate that their sales have continued to drop further, with business down approximately 50-60 per cent.

Next to the loading bay sign the shopkeepers have installed homemade signs warning customers against parking in the bay, because they do not think it is clear enough.

One local businessman, who The Chronicle agreed not to name, said: “It is just a good revenue catcher for them so there is no way of changing their minds. It is preventing customers rather than helping the business”.

Shopkeepers feel that the camera has become more of a deterrent for the local businesses it was designed to protect.

They have written to Hounslow Council and local MP Alan Keen but their concerns have fallen on deaf ears.

Sam Gragousian of Sam's House Clearance called the double-yellow lines a disgrace. He said: “I have been here 17 years and my business is down 60 per cent.

“The whole row of shops are suffering and they are doing nothing. If it was causing problems and accidents I could understand, but if it carries on, because it has affected the business in such a way, I’ll have to close.”

A council spokesman said: “Firstly it’s important to note that this scheme has improved conditions for pedestrians as we had received numerous reports of northbound vehicles nearly causing accidents.

“Pay and display parking in Fern Grove was an option discussed and agreed at a site meeting between traders and the council’s traffic engineers. The traders were however advised that this would be subject to the availability of funding, which unfortunately has not been forthcoming under the current budget constraints from central government."

Alan Keen MP said: “I was approached by the shopkeepers on Station Parade back in 2010. I have made a number of representations to the council raising the shopkeepers concerns.

“I understand an option was then discussed between the shopkeepers and the council to create ‘pay and display’ parking in Fern Grove. However the shopkeepers have since been advised that this option will not be possible due to lack of Government funding.

“I would urge the council to continue discussions with the shopkeepers in order to try and find a positive way forward that will help our local businesses”.